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The Cost of Neglect

There are many steps that an
Illinois Birddog Rescue foster
dog must go through before
being ready for adoption.
Because IBR is licensed as a
shelter by the Illinois
Department of Agriculture, we
are required by law to (1)
microchip and (2) spay or
neuter all animals before
adopting them into new homes.
We also (1) vaccinate for Parvo,
Distemper, and Rabies; (2)
treat for intestinal parasites;
and (3) test and treat for
Heartworm disease.

Since many of our rescue dogs come from homes where they have been neglected
for years, proper vetting is a crucial part of the process our dogs go through before
they go to their new forever homes. While we ask for a $325 adoption donation for
adult dogs and $375 for puppies, our average medical expense for each dog is often
much more than that- especially for the dogs that may have severe injuries and
medical problems. .
In the 6-plus years of IBR’s existence, we
have seen many emaciated and malnourished
dogs. Most of these dogs have been fed a
poor quality diet and are full of intestinal
parasites (including hookworm, round worm,
whipworm, lungworm or tapeworm) or other
microscopic parasites known as Coccidia and
Giardia. Many dogs come to us that have not
been given preventatives against Heartworm
disease, and thus test positive for this
mosquito-borne disease. Treatment for
Heartworm requires two injections of a
Cyanide-based drug called Immiticide. Dogs
that undergo Heartworm treatment also need
several months of rest so that the dying
worms can be reabsorbed into their systems.
All of these parasites can make a rescue dog
very ill and can be expensive to treat on
average about $300 per dog.
Heartworm disease does not discriminate.
In 2006, IBR successfully treated 11 dogs